Help me make my 9 year olds birthday special

[Icaniwillnow]

Hi, my son will be 9 next Sunday and he has asked not to have a birthday party. He doesn't see his dad and we dont have family around us but have amazing friends. He has asked not to see anyone but wants to spend the day just us. I want to make him feel speacial/have a day for him. I will do what he asked (not invite anyone) but any ideas on what is could do to give him the day he deserves?

Maybe a day out somewhere just the two of you? Then a meal of his choice either at home or out somewhere.

I would do a day trip/activity then a surprise meal with friends at the end.

What does he like? I’d lol for activities based around his favourite things.

Everything you do can have a wee touch of birthday magic - for example, if he normally has porridge for breakfast make it birthday porridge by adding hot chocolate powder and sprinkles.
A family walk, maybe turn it into having a campfire on the beach where he can toast marshmallows. Does he enjoy cycling? Go for a cycle ride and stop in at a nice cafe for a birthday afternoon tea. Popcorn and a new film cuddled on the settee?

My nine year old loves board games so would consider an afternoon of us doing that a big treat. Trip to the swimming pool and fish and chips after. Often our best memories are of more simple times, not forced-gaiety.

Day trip/activity - yes, but not the surprise meal with friends. The OP's DS has asked for no-one else to be involved in his special say , so why go against that?

I think that sounds good with the bored games, film. It does seem like he wants to keep it simple. I think i feel bad because it doesn't seem like what I would want for him. But then its not about what I want is it, its to make him feel speacial and happy. I will think I will do a day out but not on the day?

If the day will be fine, do you have a camping stove so you can go somewhere and have a cookup?

Kids don’t always remember effort you put into a day but they do remember simple things that are out of the ordinary.

We gave dd a birthday party down the local park once with a bbq breakfast for them all and it went down a treat.